Kylian Mbappe has revealed that his 'idols' Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane inspired his dream to move to Real Madrid.

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• Mbappe signed for Real Madrid last summer
• Move had long been a dream
• Frenchman discusses 'idols' Ronaldo and Zidane

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mbappe nearly joined Madrid in 2022 before eventually making the move two years later – but has now said he was close to signing for the club as a child, too. And he has revealed it was his idolisation of those two players in particular that sparked his love for the club.

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  WHAT MBAPPE SAID

  Mbappe said: "I live a dream every day to play here. Zidane was my idol, I started because of him. This club has an aura, it's the best in the world. Since Cristiano arrived I followed every game; he was my other idol. I met Zidane here when I was 13. I spent a week in Valdebebas and could only speak to Zidane because I didn't speak any other language than French. There were opportunities to stay but it wasn't possible because of my family. I couldn't come alone."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After a quiet start, Mbappe has flourished at Madrid. He has scored 33 goals in 51 appearances this season and is the second-top scorer in La Liga behind Robert Lewandowski.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE AND REAL MADRID?

  Mbappe is set to lead the line for Real Madrid at Arsenal on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. That game is followed by a trip to Alaves at the weekend, followed by the reverse leg against the Gunners in Madrid.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News